With a big home victory under their belts, the Nanaimo Clippers will look for more.
The city's B.C. Hockey League team takes to the ice tonight (Oct. 13) at Frank Crane Arena against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
The contest is a challenge – Nanaimo (2-4-1-2) is last in the Coastal Conference, while Salmon Arm (10-2-0-0) is first in the Interior Conference.
The Silverbacks, though, will be without a handful of players who were suspended Tuesday following a line brawl Friday against the Merritt Centennials. Salmon Arm's leading scorer, Devin Gannon, and No. 1 goalie, Kris Moore, are among the suspended 'Backs.
While the Silverbacks were brawling in Merritt on Friday, the Clippers were putting the boots to the Prince George Spruce Kings in a 10-2 blowout win.
"It raises confidence a lot going into the Salmon Arm game on Wednesday," said Brayden Jaw, Clippers forward. "Hopefully it'll transfer over and we'll play a good game."
Mike Domsodi, another Clippers forward, called the weekend's blowout a "good momentum boost" for the team to prepare for the first-placed Silverbacks.
"We've had a lot of close games this year and we feel like we can play against anyone in the league," he said. "It's going to be a great game on Wednesday."
GAME ON … The Clippers and Silverbacks face off tonight (Oct. 13) at 7:10 p.m. at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets will be available at the door … The matchup will be a rare pink versus purple showdown, as the Clippers continue to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with their pink jerseys and the Silverbacks are expected to sport their usual colours, purple and silver.
sports@nanaimobulletin.com